McCraw vs. Noriega

Rep. Rick Noriega, D-Houston, asked for a retraction from GOP Gov. Rick Perry for comments made in a letter to him by Perry’s homeland security director, Steve McCraw.

What he got was an offer to meet with Perry, he said, but he said he sees no point because he assumes Perry stands behind the comments, made in a letter written on “Office of the Governor” letterhead.

Noriega has voiced concern about concentrating homeland security power in Perry’s office rather than a law enforcement office. As a member of Appropriations, he has expressed dissatisfaction about the level of detail from Perry’s office about how he wants to use extra funding for border security.

McCraw added in his April 27 letter, “You have also questioned the assessment by the Texas Office of Homeland Security that a porous Texas-Mexico border constitutes a terrorism threat to our nation.”

Here’s the part that steamed Noriega: “Since it is your position that our border does not pose a terrorist threat, and because of that position you believe it is unnecessary to expend resources in protecting our border, I will make myself available to you or your staff immediately to provide a detailed briefing on why this mistaken position can cost lives.”

Noriega in his letter to Perry said that McCraw’s missive was “clearly implying that I favored policies that allowed terrorists free entry through our borders. This accusation is both insulting and irresponsible, particularly directed toward someone who has served the State of Texas at the border.”

Noriega, a major in the Texas Army National Guard, noted, “You will recall that when the President of the United States announced last spring that he would send 6,000 National Guard soldiers to the border, I volunteered. I served as the Laredo Border Sector Commander for over 300 Texas Military Forces.”

One Response

He may be insulted, but he did not say that the accusation to be incorrect. He has repeatedly opposed any actions that would close the border to illegal crossings. He may shout “How DARE you question my patriotism!” but that is exactly what I am questioning. I DARE him to prove me wrong.